The Malea are primitive (TL 0-1) natives on a secondary world in the Rhinom system (Deneb 0717). Descended from carnivore siren stock, their superficial humanoid appearance has fooled many an unwary traveller. With a passing glance or a blurred view, one might mistake them for large, clumsy-looking humans. Up close, however, their alienness is apparent.
First, their head looks less like a typical head, and more like a battering ram. In fact, it is mounted at an uncomfortable angle (for a human), jutting forward of the torso and almost even with it. One might be tempted to misjudge their intelligence. Keen binocular eyes with bony protective ridges are guarded by two heavy tusks, easily capable of eviscerating an unarmed man. Ears are present, "but", in the words of a survivor, "not accounted for" -- meaning they are neither prominent nor clearly marked; as a result, their hearing is not as good or as accurate as a human's. There is no nose; they have no sense of smell. And in order to find the mouth, you have to look for it on the torso.
Their torso is longer than a human's. The extended, reinforced central spine supports two pairs of arms, each ending in clumsy (DM-3 on human equipment) grippers. The extended torso also houses the mouth and brain of the Malea. The Malea walks upright on two legs, and has a 12cm long vestigial tail.
Malea society is built on top of genetic skill-like castes, triggered by the family group when the individual leaves adolescence. The most common caste is the "Engineer", which builds and maintains shelter, clothing, shallow-watercraft, traps, and so on. Maleans live in shelters constructed in the boughs of large trees which grow in the swamps. The shelters are of high quality wood and stone, and sealed with clay mixes which block moisture. Other castes include Speakers, animal Trainers, Trackers, boat Handlers, Craftsmen, Advocates, and Leaders. Being descended from sirens, they have little need for gatherers or hunters: their bodies emit chemicals which attract local fauna. To humans, this scent is unusual, strong, and slightly attractive; while characters are not blindly drawn into Malean villages, they must throw against Intelligence when specifically trying to avoid them.
Strength 2D
Dexterity 2D
Endurance 3D
Intelligence 2D
Instinct 2D
Caste
Malea are not integrated into the Imperium; they are known among xenologists, and occasionally studied, but are not part of the interstellar community. For that matter, they are not part of the Imperial agricultural complex on the world Malea, except in some places as menial field workers. One in ten will know (some) Anglic; the rest speak only a local dialect on the Rhin Spectrum (a poorly-studied set of languages). They typically have little to trade, and have no contact with strangers. Stories of travellers ending up in Malean stew-pots are largely unsubstantiated.
Maleas who can speak some Anglic, or some Rhin-Anglic pidgin, face significant obstacles to working in the Imperium. The first, of course, is the technological gap -- Malea have no understanding of applied technology beyond TL 1, so education would have to begin at the primary level. This is exacerbated by their possessing Instinct instead of Education, which further puts them at a distinct disadvantage to the Imperial career system (treat as Edu/2). However, if this is overcome, they could possibly find gainful employment -- as mercenaries they have a distinct characteristic advantage over many other sophonts. However, the chance of finding any Malea outside of their local lands, much less aboard a starship, is effectively nil.
First, their head looks less like a typical head, and more like a battering ram. In fact, it is mounted at an uncomfortable angle (for a human), jutting forward of the torso and almost even with it. One might be tempted to misjudge their intelligence. Keen binocular eyes with bony protective ridges are guarded by two heavy tusks, easily capable of eviscerating an unarmed man. Ears are present, "but", in the words of a survivor, "not accounted for" -- meaning they are neither prominent nor clearly marked; as a result, their hearing is not as good or as accurate as a human's. There is no nose; they have no sense of smell. And in order to find the mouth, you have to look for it on the torso.
Their torso is longer than a human's. The extended, reinforced central spine supports two pairs of arms, each ending in clumsy (DM-3 on human equipment) grippers. The extended torso also houses the mouth and brain of the Malea. The Malea walks upright on two legs, and has a 12cm long vestigial tail.
Malea society is built on top of genetic skill-like castes, triggered by the family group when the individual leaves adolescence. The most common caste is the "Engineer", which builds and maintains shelter, clothing, shallow-watercraft, traps, and so on. Maleans live in shelters constructed in the boughs of large trees which grow in the swamps. The shelters are of high quality wood and stone, and sealed with clay mixes which block moisture. Other castes include Speakers, animal Trainers, Trackers, boat Handlers, Craftsmen, Advocates, and Leaders. Being descended from sirens, they have little need for gatherers or hunters: their bodies emit chemicals which attract local fauna. To humans, this scent is unusual, strong, and slightly attractive; while characters are not blindly drawn into Malean villages, they must throw against Intelligence when specifically trying to avoid them.
Strength 2D
Dexterity 2D
Endurance 3D
Intelligence 2D
Instinct 2D
Caste
Malea are not integrated into the Imperium; they are known among xenologists, and occasionally studied, but are not part of the interstellar community. For that matter, they are not part of the Imperial agricultural complex on the world Malea, except in some places as menial field workers. One in ten will know (some) Anglic; the rest speak only a local dialect on the Rhin Spectrum (a poorly-studied set of languages). They typically have little to trade, and have no contact with strangers. Stories of travellers ending up in Malean stew-pots are largely unsubstantiated.
Maleas who can speak some Anglic, or some Rhin-Anglic pidgin, face significant obstacles to working in the Imperium. The first, of course, is the technological gap -- Malea have no understanding of applied technology beyond TL 1, so education would have to begin at the primary level. This is exacerbated by their possessing Instinct instead of Education, which further puts them at a distinct disadvantage to the Imperial career system (treat as Edu/2). However, if this is overcome, they could possibly find gainful employment -- as mercenaries they have a distinct characteristic advantage over many other sophonts. However, the chance of finding any Malea outside of their local lands, much less aboard a starship, is effectively nil.
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